Chris
Corrigan
Consulting in organizational and community development
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Consulting in organizational and community development
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Responses to "The answer, according to my daughter" I have been receiving a lot of email about the piece. Responses range from the very positive to the very negative. I'm posting most of them here so people can see the vast range of opinion that exists around this idea of feeding people. Some of these thoughts will lift your spirits and some you might find morally repugnant. They are all heartfelt expressions from people that took the time to write back to me, and I appreciate it. Engaging with the idea is what it is all about. These are quotes taken from the private emails that people have sent me. I think it's important that these comments be shared, but if your comment is here, and you would rather that it wasn't, please email me and I'll remove it. There is more than one page of these quotes now...
...thanks for the great words and inspiration...if we would let our children point the way we would be well on our way to planet Eden...We can only hope that others near GB have similar views and will be expressing them loudly... RL Johnston
Thank you so, so much for sharing your dialogs and questions you found in the nature. Aine you are so wise. Thanks again ... I am very deep touched ... you made my heart warm. If there would be any way to bring your suggestions into reality ...what a gift for all humans! LOVE & Peace
I'm so proud to be acquainted to such a wise lady. She has all answers for our adult questions, I wish all people hear the voices of our children... let them be true.
love to aine.
Doing more of what the world, and ourselves, have done forever does not seem to be working very well. Maybe it's time to look for new answers. Thank you, Aine.
I have the suspicion that we need to look for more questions...all those answers seem to be getting us into deeper and deeper trouble
I write to you from the company that made the planes that were used as guided missiles last week. I think too that your daughter has the right idea about what our response to this needs to be. What I am also thinking, wouldn't it be wonderful if the dead could speak now? Perhaps they would say that they hoped they did not die just to have their deaths avenged with more carnage. If I were one of the victims of the terrorist attacks, whether one who was killed or a family member of one who was killed, I would want to feed the monsters. Build the mosque, feed the starving people of Afghanistan, start meeting the needs of so many who have lived for so long without the basics of survival. So maybe the survivors in New York really would want this. I think that if this request came from them to the government of the US, it would be deeply meaningful. I would love to see your email circulating to these survivors in New York and to all the families of those directly touched by this tragedy. Perhaps they would make their desires known in Washington. I really want feeding the monsters to become reality, not just a dream. What do you think I can do to help?
What a wonderful story ! I hope you don't mind that if I pass this to a couple of friends. It is my very favorite in the flood of New York / Washington emails that are starting to pour in. Pat Deacon, Naramata, Canada
In response to your email - I think you have the answer. Now just to convince the world. p.s. I do believe it is possible. thanks Angelyn, Bowen Island, Canada
I totally agree with Aine. Out of the mouths of babes, huh! It is so simple but perfect. I am totally against war and nothing has ever been accomplished by going to war so I vote for Aine's solution. Thanks for sharing this Chris. Take care and see you soon. Betty Kao-Lin, Vancouver, Canada
From the mouths of babes. Sometimes their wisdom is far beyond ours.
Thank you for sharing this wisdom of your daughter's - how very profound for one so young....let us put her forward to our World Leaders as a consultant on this very important issue facing us.... As Gandhi said "an eye for an eye and the whole world will be blind" It is very distressing that the only solution the US and it's allies can imagine is to get into airplanes and bomb a country that looks forward to it as a "Holy War" - I don't think we should reward the bad behaviour with more bad behaviour.... My sister said one time of her daughter Bethanie, "she pushes me until I spank her - she isn't happy until she gets the spanking" - my response was, "so why would you want to reward that behaviour with a spank?" - she had no response.... This is all very distressing and I can't imagine what it must be like for you and all parents of small children Chris - the "war to end all wars" has already been fought - we and our children were not supposed to know such things.... Yes Chris - I can think of many things that 40 Billion dollars could buy - how about a plane ticket for George Bush to fly to Afghanistan and shake hands with Osama Bin Laden? To thank him for raising the American patriotism like nothing else has since before the Vietnamese War? To thank him for bringing the 25 Million people of New York together in love and concern for each other? To thank him for prompting other Nations to voice their support against Terrorism? To thank him for lowering the unemployment rate in USA (all those security measures and clean-up crews must be employing someone). Peace is not simply the absence of war..... Have an awesome day Chris.
I would like to offer a vision that has been recorded around the Carrier territories, held by many Elders. It is not as beautiful or benevolent as the words you have offered but it is what I have to give you back in trade.... "There is a day that is coming in our life time when the lake will be dry and people will be living in the bottom, looking for water and food. Many will perish and it will not be a time for sharing. It will be a cleansing time, a time to "right" the minds and hearts of our people. Those who walk the traditional path and are connected to the lineage and knowledge of their ancestors will survive and flourish. Those who have lost their way will perish. Many will look to the White Indian for leadership and the true meaning of the medicine wheel...that we are all one nation and one people will become our beacon of survival." Your friend,
I'm a little freaked out myself. In a CBC interview last week they noted that there were at least 100 people with suspected terrorist links living in Canada. You can bet that there are at least 10 times that many living in the USA. Going to war with a country (and an organization) that has hundreds, if not thousands, of operatives living amongst us is insane. They will be more than a little pissed off when we start bombing their homeland and families. The violent war against terrorism will be disastrous. Ironic how a child realizes this when the powers that be have their heads buried in the sand. I'm hoping that by talking about this stuff the message will trickle up. Did you see Michael Moore's article in Terminal City. He is talking about how the CIA is wearing this one. How poverty and profit have their share of the blame as well. Last night CNN talked about the $3 billion that the CIA gave to the Afghan resistance movement during the Soviet invasion. Maybe I'm a little naive, but I hope that the message gets across. Last weeks activities were heinous crimes against humanity. I just hope that the decisions that come about in reaction to those activities truly honours those that were killed. Rob O' Dea, Vancouver, Canada
I was just laying in bed thinking the very much the same thing! How much better it would be to feed and provide shelter for people. The mosque idea is brilliant.
I just read your letter and found it to be heart felt and full of love. Your ideas would work in a perfect world, but we don't live in a utopia. Nor would I want to live in one. We are dealing with fundamentalist Muslims who believe unless we live our lives the way they want us to live them (example; treating woman like chattel) you will never change there minds. Maybe you would like to be treated like chattel, personally I have a daughter and a wife that I have to much respect and love fore to see them treated like that. Next; I see you have a Canadian address so I think you may be a Canadian and if so please be careful how you would like to have the citizens of the United States money spent. Distributing money to the world? Please, I work hard for my money and the tax money is no different. Spend it wisely on your home (USA) first and spend it on the world that will appreciate the love that we share. Chris as far as war goes a great Confederate general once said about war and the innocent "War means fighting, fighting means killing" (Nathan Bedford Forrest CSA). This is a cruel point and one that we are living through every time I watch the TV. Like it or not THIS IS WAR ON THE UNITED STATES. The first causalities were civilians and this is sad. George Bush has my support and I will back him with blind faith. If he feels the best thing to do is nothing, then I back him, if we go to war then I back him. God bless the United States and its allies William Enzweiler, Tempe, USA
Thanks for sharing that story about your daughter, Aine. It was free and joyful and right – and made so much sense! It also helps me put things in perspective, so thank Aine for me if that's appropriate. As I drove home last Thursday and Friday and listened to the increasing rhetoric of war and anger being reported on radio stations in Utah, Wyoming, Nebraska, Iowa and Illinois, I was saddened and alarmed. This rhetoric was alarming for practical reasons (the idea of conventional warfare "defeating" terrorism is outrageous) and saddening due to the thought of our country responding to the horror and senselessness of terrorism with more of the same. But I want you to know that many of the citizens I encountered on my trip and many radio callers were speaking messages of peace. The simple Lutheran service I attended at noon in a small Nebraska farm town was affirming and called for love and peace. The three teens who let me join them around a candle in a busy rest stop parking lot at 7:00 p.m. were heartfelt and articulate in their calls for our country to come together justly and peacefully – they even acknowledged that the U.S. has sown some of the seeds that have led to terrorist rage. The DC Cardinal's simple reading of the Beatitudes at the National Prayer Service that I heard on NPR was a welcome relief. I am stunned that two of my former colleagues were working in WTC tower 2 and are dead. Just last month Suzanne was giving me a goofy hard time for interrupting her focused work with my chatter. I'm now glad I did so. And I celebrate the fact that the last time Darya was seen was on the 78th floor accompanying a pregnant woman who was in distress. Thanks for starting this discussion chain with its informative facts, forum for sharing ideas that aren't being headlined on CNN (…yet), and tales of hope and love. I've written the President and my congress people. Let's continue to share ideas about this situation and about how to get involved.
My friend, Jill Schroder, sent me a copy of your letter about your daughter's wonderful suggestion "Feed them", and your "What if we did...." comments which follow. I have already taken the liberty of forwarding your e mail to the many friends with whom I have been communicating these last few days. As well as being in touch with most of the people on my e mail lists, exchanging messages of support and encouragement for a peaceful solution for our world, I have also been e mailing and faxing Chretien, Bush, and my own MP. I would like to send your comments to them as well, but am checking with you first to see if you would prefer that I delete any part of the email which identifies you. Please let me know. I am of the school that says "Pray to catch the bus, then run as fast as you can", and my letters to world leaders come out of the second part of that injunction. Aine sounds like a wonderful child, and it is children who are our hope for this world. Please give her a hug from me. (I'm a grandmother of seven!) Ann Frost, Vancouver, Canada
My dear friend forwarded your solution to me today. I'm a Canadian living in USA and maintained my Canadian citizenship here for 25 years. One of my reasons for this decision was to have the ability, in the case of extreme crisis, to take my American born children "home" to safety. Ironically my third and last child left for college just two weeks ago. He is at an aeronautical university in Florida. (The best laid plans...) All my children are grown now and are all very proud Americans. They are also proud of their Canadian heritage and love to go there on holiday to visit my family. I loved your beautiful and very idealistic idea for a solution and I wanted to pass along to you the info I discovered today. The CEO of C.A.R.E. was being interviewed on CNN and spoke of the enormous presence they have had in Afghanistan for years. They bring food, good water and education to the citizens there. These efforts mean nothing to a man as evil as Bin Laden and his followers. I am so sad that we must resort to the very actions that our countries abhor; violence and killing. You see, no matter what we give them or "Feed" them does not matter to him. I hope that the decimation of their country and death of their innocent families is not part of the retaliation plan. Your beautiful account of your daughter's sweet, innocent suggestion brings me to tears. Thank you. I hope that her concept of what life should be like is not just a dream for I have the same dreams!
This sounds like good advice from the Golden Rule perspective, that Love cures all things or Do unto others as you would want them to do unto you but; if you were to take this awesomely simply solution (Aine's - Feed them) and apply it to this incident.....it would not work. Well, maybe in the long, long, long run it would eventually pan out, that is after 2 or 3 generations of hate have faded away. Then possibly not..... Example:, look at the people of Israel when they murmured and complained of the report of the Promise Land. How when 10 of 12 men stated that the land was filled with giants and great people and that this great people could not be taken. All of them began to complain and murmur and side with these 10 men. Because of the complaining, God became angry and had everyone of the people walk and wander for 40-80 years (until all the generations up to the 8 year olds) were dead. Then He allowed the people of the new generations to pass over. Why? Because, He knew that if He had continued to pamper and Love these people and feed them and care for them, the old ways would still fester up and show it's inconsiderate face. The same with this picture story, yes, we could ' feed the people ' with 40 billion dollars, build a Mosque and feed and love the people in that nation; but the old ways would still be lingering in the foyer waiting for an opportunity to show it's ugly, ungrateful face. It would take generations of Love, Godly Love to birth a generation without the Hate that these people have allowed to rise within them over the centuries.....might of fact, it would take GOD to remove this from the earth! Funny! This Jihad (Holy War) began back when Esau and Jacob were born! Remember?? Feed them all you want until they're bellies are full, build & teach them how to be a better world...nope won't work without God being in the Forefront....just won't work! Angie Thompson, Tacoma, USA
Well expressed, thank you. Steve Eads, Sailsbury East, Australia
Hi Chris, I don't know who you are, but thank you so much for sharing your views...In this time of personal frustration, it feels so good to not feel so isolated and alone in my views. I live on a military installation so you can imagine the level of emotion and perspectives I am surrounded by. It is good to know that others share a peaceful and philosophical approach. The 'Feed Them' email has been a light of hope and breath of cool fresh air for me today amidst a barrage of violent and hasty emails that I have received in the past few days. I am currently majoring in political science and philosophy and I hope to go beyond peaceful words and move in to peaceful action. I feel like so many people are speaking for me right now and assuming that I share their perspective. I find myself wondering where are all the others who have a different view, why aren't they speaking up? If they are speaking, why isn't anyone listening? I know in my heart there are many more of us and we have a right and responsibility to challenge the status quo or to disagree with some of the more popular approaches to this disaster. Thank you for taking the time to read this. Thank you for "feeding" me spiritually. Peace to you,
At a time like this emotions run wild. I try to stay as rational as possible but sometimes this is more difficult. The way I see it there are 10,000,000 fundamentalist Muslims. Muslims that would just as soon slit my throat as well as yours. We have only 2 chooses at this time. One, we can change all 10,000,000 minds and convince them that we really are good guys and not the devil as they have so many times stated. This alone would be a task that I think would be imposable. Two, the annihilation of the 10,000,000 that pose a threat to freedom and liberty. If by chance we were able to execute the leaders another would just pop up and replace him. This type of hatred is fostered over generations not over night. I voted for George Bush and till he does something that I think is wrong, I will follow his leadership unquestioned. His ability to lead and make the right decisions is why I voted for him. If you were ever in the military you would understand this. The first thing you must do is put your trust in the leadership. If he would decide to feed the world I will go along with him and if he decides do fight, I will go with it as well. Now if he decides to fight a ground war in Afghanistan I will not support this. If you are schooled in the art of war you know you always pick the ground to fight on. Also you never want to fight in the jungle or mountains area and there are some tall mountains in Afghanistan. To answer another question, yes I have friends that are Muslim and are from Iran. They came over after the Shah fell. These Muslims I don't call "fundamentalist" but good hard working Americans. So this is not a vast generalization of Muslims I have of them. The countries that I generalize are Egypt, Palestine, Iran, Iraq just to name a few. Civilians will die in this war but this is not a war of tradition. The army that we seek are the citizens of these countries. It is not a army with uniforms but an army in traditional clothing that have been armed by there government. Yes we make deals with Saudi Arabia. This is a short coming on our part. We should have been more earnest in looking for alternative fuels. This is something we have not done. So to keep us from using our reserves we make deals. Its called business as usual. The people of the US would never put up with high prices on fuel. We give to much to the rest of the world in foreign aid. We are also the largest user of oil. This also brings in the law of "supply and demand". With NATO now involved you have a vote and yes it would be nice to see a joint action against the countries that have attracted the United States and other countries. But it must be with the US at the lead. You mention about Bush listening to NATO because "we will be going to war". The last time I saw NATO involved the US fought and funded 76% of the war. I think NATO needs to listen to the US. It was overwhelming US citizens and it will be overwhelming US tax payers money. I hope this answers some of your questions. God bless the United States
Dear Representative Lee, I feel inspired and very grateful for your contribution to world peace by your dissenting vote on September 16 in opposition of granting President Bush the authority to wage a 'military war' on terrorism. I imagine it is challenging to stand alone in the House on an issue that is so emotionally charged. I have heard many share your name in the past week in conjunction with their own courage to stand up and be counted on the side of a paradigm shift from a military response and punishment to a more compassionate use of our resources for protection and the affirmation of life. The story below to me epitomizes this shift. I also want to thank you for your co-sponsoring of HR 2459 introduced by Dennis Kucinich on July 11, 2001, that proposes the establishment of a Department of Peace and a four-year Peace Academy that will study, among other things, how we can make nonviolence an organizing principle in our society. Addendum: While I was writing you I received this delightful story from a friend. Perhaps you will experience it as a gift of wisdom as I did. Out of the mouths of babes...[a copy of my essay was attached...cjc] Jori Manske, Albuquerque, USA
Thanks, Chris. I live in Texas and the sentiment here is pretty vengeful. I have forwarded it widely (it came to me from Arizona).
Dear Chris: You don't know me. Your email (quoted below) was forwarded to me by Beata Lewis. I am the Executive Director of Women of Vision and Action (www.wova.org) and am also spearheading the Only Love Prevails World Peace Experiment (see www.openheart.com/peace). I have a created a section on the Peace Experiment page where I am publishing what I consider to be inspired writings around the 9-11 events. I felt it was important to have a repository for these many writings that are being circulated by email, if for no other reason than to offer an oasis of calm and common sense to those who are seeking vibrations other than the war drums being beaten by our media... for those who are seeking a language for what they are feeling in their hearts. I would love to have your permission to publish the piece you wrote below. Please check out what is already on the website (click on the "inspired writings" menu item at www.openheart.com/peace) and let me know if I can add yours to the list. If you say "yes" please also let me know if you would like me to include your email address and yoru website. Thank you for the important work you are doing and I hope to hear from you soon. Only Love Prevails,
I love what you share about the various ways to feed people's spirits. A remarkable perspective. Very nurturing to read and holds many important ways to raise the consciousness and spirit for all human life. Yet I wonder. If we knew that terrorists were plotting to destroy our homes and children, our family and friends, would we make the ideas you mention a priority? This is a real life situation that is now happening in the USA. Threats and plans from terrorists are real. They are not make believe, or from a movie we saw. That is what is being required of us to respond to. I think there is a balancing point we all need to come to for ourselves. I think we need both appropriate action with the global community of the United Nations to bring justice and create a higher degree of safety - in the long run - for all peoples of the earth. Perhaps a mosque in Kabul would be just the message needed. Yet, a harder and more realistic question might be, how can we be "fair", and not kill innocent people - like the vast majority of Afghans. How can we lobby for their protection? The aikido approach is a powerful one for me. It helps me maintain my own sense of SELF and connectedness to a loving God. However, my instincts also let me know it is important to protect my self, my family and community. I believe that we have the capabilities to bring justice to the perpetrators and protect all of us for it. The evidence, from what I have read and been told, is vast plans are in the making by many, many individuals we consider to be terrorists against, primarily Americans. Cold, blooded killers - regardless of their justification for doing so. I think they need to be stopped, tried and arrested for intending to or bringing harm to anyone. This is not an easy decision. I hope we will all pray for the best actions to be taken. And, that we bring our love and light to all the decision makers we are paying to do their job. Meanwhile, I would urge you to send your ideas to your congress people, spiritual leaders, mayor, governor and everyone you can to begin a new ripple of creative, caring approaches to help lift humanity and allow more grace into all our lives. Thank you for your heartfelt ideas. They are a beacon of possibility for me at this time.
Just read your message and I agree with you. It's one sane way to react. Mary Cunningham, USA
I don't think it's an either/or, it's a both/and. We must first find and deal with (i.e. kill/imprison permanently) the bad guys because these monsters are not interested in anything we may want to feed them (see www.slate.com - "What Does Osama Want?") Like some of our Italian brothers say, "Sorry, I gotta whack you. Nothing personal, it's business." Besides, these guys are tight with Allah and go straight to heaven, so it's not a big inconvenience for them. Simultaneously, and this is the hard part, we must draw our Arab brothers and sisters close to us and share the world we have to offer. Our government gives millions in aid, will billions make people like us? I don't think so. We, the people, must make the effort to connect and share with the Arab people, circumventing government and it's corruptions and agendas. This is a spiritual matter, not a financial matter.
i want to thank you so much.. i'm still crying with the beauty and simplicity of the words that came from Aine...it reminds me that we are all one, that what wants to come through us or be spoken always does, and we just have to listen...her words, and your sharing of them have touched what i've been feeling and thinking so deeply yet clumsily trying to express. It's a campaign i can get behind. Maureen Cameron, Sirdar, Canada
Bravo! Bravo! Bravo! This is one of the finest pieces I have received to date. I sent it to Kiwanians throughout the Texas-Oklahoma District. I'm sure they will be impressed as I was. Keep up the good work. B.G. "Buddy" Williams, Texas, USA
Yes, it is a very beautiful thought. But, the problem is, the guys in charge have found it doesn't enrich or empower them, by making the world a beautiful and loving place. We've got to stop voting out of fear and start voting with our hearts. What follows is something I sent out to my small electronic news group. THE SOUTHWEST INSIGHT E'LETTER Special addition, September 17, 2001 It has been a week since the desperate acts of a few caused the suffering of so many. As a dedicated seeker of truth and a Therevadist I have endeavored to observe my sensations foremost as an avenue to curbing any grasping or aversion that I may have over these events, and the waves of repercussions that continue to emanate from this tragedy like the waves on a pond. It has been clear to me for a long time that the national and foreign policies of the USA have been committed to enriching the few at the expense of the many. It was recently pointed out to me that at least 50% of the income tax revenues of the USA are spent on aggression and military, while some very small percentage is spent on humanitarian aide. As Buddhists it is our duty to benefit all sentient beings by our every action. May those who lead this country embrace this noble endeavor. It would be quite some blessing if 50% of our tax money went to global humanitarian aide. From this commitment to relieving the suffering of all beings we would probably find that we would only need a small percentage of our taxes spent on defense, if any at all. I have been working on a poem for the last year in response to an act of violence that occurred here in Tucson. It is appended, because I believe it addresses the deeper issues of concern here.
Thank-you for your commitment to your enlightenment. It can only benefit all sentient beings.
This is all well and sweet, but as I figured written by someone that did not have 1000's of his countrymen viciously killed by maniacs that used our way of life as a means to inflict their evil on innocent men, WOMEN, and CHILDREN. Yes, vengeance is an ugly thought, but it is not only vengeance that the U.S. seeks, it is also to do whatever is necessary to rid the world of this kind of cowardly evil. If it was pure revenge, there would already be smoking holes all over the middle east. Our leaders are very aware of the need to concentrate the retaliation to those responsible. Unlike those that orchestrated this attack, we Americans do value all life, not just those that fit into some warped view of what a god wants us to do. We as a nation have already poured BILLIONS of our tax dollars worldwide to feed many millions of people, so this simple and sweet idea of what will make the world a better place has not worked. Mr. Corrigan, when you finish attending the multiple funerals, that I and my friends will have to attend and look into the eyes of pure and innocent children that will never see their parents again, then maybe you can spout your peaceful, yet naive view of how life should be...until then KISS MY ASS!!!!
Chris, I too enjoyed the story of Aine and the monsters so much. Aidan invented a bathtub game about a "not-nice spider" who attacks the other animals, who first defend themselves and then give the spider "magic water" to drink. The spider always wakes up and says, "Wow. I didn't know I was so thirsty."
I am a School Psychologist in New York City. I have a psychotherapy practice, am involved in crisis intervention in the school system and have been actively workng with children and adults affected by the WTC destruction. I teach college as well. Before going into Psychology I was a history major, interested in the forces and the people instrumental in molding events. I was forwarded a copy of your e-mail that you wrote to the Nonviolent Communication LISTSERV. I was actively against the Vietnam War and believe that military action does not always solve problems. I also rarely respond to letters but I decided to forward a response to you. There are times when military actions overt and covert are necessary. And this is one of those times. You are attempting to deal with irrational groups of people. Their purpose is not to fight for freedom or even for the betterment of others. Their purpose maybe based on gaining vengeance for some imagined deed, or just to destabilize a country they resent. They may hide behind religion, but it is not the driving force. Like others, including, Hitler, and Stalin, they gather about them others who care little for human life. Feeding the poor would not stop them. Bin Laden and others like him are not from the poor, and neither are the ones who planned and carried out these actions. These were trained pilots, engineers, computer specialists, and probably military men. If Bin Laden cares so much for the Palestinians or other Muslim groups that are being persecuted instead of financing the WTC destruction why not give money so they can build a homeland. America has fed the poor of the world. America has responded to catastrophes around the world with aid. America is a compassionate nation. Often we are not appreciated, and seen as big fat cats. And we are resented. Historically we were the ugly Americans despite sending food, clothing and humanitarian aid to other countries. We are resented for reasons that are not rational. Six thousand human beings were murdered (I am including all the deaths not just those from the WTC) by groups of people for no reason other then what they represent in their twisted minds. I cannot bear to think of all the families and friends that are suffering. It is unimaginable to me. Will military action help the suffering, of course not. What it may do is prevent any more catastrophic actions such as these that are aimed not only in destroying our country but also any other country.
Someone circulated your email to me. Thank you Chris. I feel the same. Please keep my email address and name. We are like minded. I am sickened by it all. Sandee Baumgartner, Missassauga, Canada
A friend just sent a copy of your "The Answer, according to my daughter" PDF. Thank you SO much for (sadly) being the first to bring sense and sanity out of the whirlpool of confusion. I will be showing "The Answer" to my six-year-old daughter tonight, and eventually to our infant daughter. This is the reaction that we know in our hearts and souls is right. Thank you again. You've made my day...my week... Sue Wallgren, Duluth, USA
Your daughter's words of wisdom are making their way around the world! Thank her for me. Here is a poem I wrote recently and want to share with you:
Dear Aine: I am not sure why you are named Aine, but in Judaism the word Aine or Ayne is a way of talking about God -- about the spirit that is part of absolutely everything in the world! It is everything and it is nothing. I mean, since it is
everything together, it is no one thing that is separate from the rest. This is
a c In the world this "ocean" is all of us, people, animals and plants, too. We show up like separate waves do in the ocean, but really we are still all connected to each other. A terrible thing happened and you were four and a half and even grown-ups were thinking about monsters. We were afraid. Some of us thought of killing the monsters because we forgot that it is all "aine" -- all one. Even the monsters are part of life. Even good, loving people sometimes are mad and feel like hurting someone. Most of us don't act like monsters, but we are afraid of the part of us that can be mad and may want to get even with someone who hurt us. Your idea of feeding monsters is exactly what we needed to hear. You said it at the right time and because your dad could share it through the connection of the Internet, many of us read it, shared it and felt more hopeful. We can all stay connected in the great Aine (everything) of life and then maybe we won't want to hurt others because we will understand it would be like hurting ourselves! I am making a picture for you that I will E-mail to your Dad for this book. With love, from one of the people in the "Aine of life", Nancy Margulies, USA
thank you very much/merci beaucoup de vôtre message de "the answer ..." the content of your words should be the message for the humans living everywhere in the north, the south, the west, the east of our world.
The population of Afghanistan is 26,813,057. Take 1 Billion to build your mosque and divide the other 19 billion by the population and they each get $745.00 per person to build a home for their children. See if the Taliban can compete with that. Incidentally I started these calculations during the gulf war. At 55 billion we could have paid 18 million Iraqis $3,055.00 dollars to overthrow Saddam. By middle east standards they would be rich !!! Better yet we could have paid 100,000 republican guard troops $ 550,000.00 not to fight.
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Chris Corrigan RR #1 E-3, Bowen Island, British Columbia, Canada V0N 1G0 Phone/Fax (604) 947-9236 |
omplicated
idea, but it is means that Aine like is the entire ocean and even though we see
waves, and drops of water, nothing none of them remain separate for long. Waves
are really just part of the ocean.